WMBL 2018 Awards Announced
WMBL President Kevin Kvame announced the 2018 League Award winners today. The winners were voted on by selected officials from each team. The selection process was done after a very competitive season that saw entertaining baseball played throughout the WMBL.
Most Valuable Player – Corey Wheaton (Weyburn)
Corey Wheaton from the Weyburn Beavers was named the WMBL MVP. The Scottsdale, AZ product had a spectacular season. He played in 45 games and had a.372 batting average and tied for the league lead with 30 stolen bases. The senior from the University of Mobile also had 11 doubles and three home runs and 15 RBI.
Rookie of the Year – Kaleb Warden (Lethbridge)
Lethbridge’s Kaleb Warden was awarded WMBL Rookie of the Year honours. Warden who attends the University of Arkansas at Monticello had an impressive his first season in the WMBL. Warden hit .369 with eight doubles and seven homers. He also registered 38 RBI and 18 walks.
Canadian Rookie – Jaret Semeniuk (Lethbridge)
A native of Edmonton, AB, Jaret Semeniuk impressed baseball fans around the WMBL with both his glove and bat. Semeniuk, a freshman with the Prairie Baseball Academy, saw action in 30 games in 2018. Overall the catcher hit .371 with 12 RBI and seven doubles.
Coach of the Year – Andrew Murphy (Medicine Hat)
Andrew Murphy led the Medicine Hat Mavericks to the President’s Cup finishing first overall in the WMBL. Under Murphy’s direction the Mavericks amassed a 38-9 record. They also finished the season with eight wins in their final 10 games.
Outstanding Achievement Award – Riley MacDonald (Brooks)
Riley MacDonald set a new WMBL single season home run record as he hit 20 round trippers in just 138 at bats.
Honourable Mention – Craig Smith (Okotoks)
Okotoks closer Craig Smith had 15 saves, which set a new WMBL record for most saves in a single season.
WMBL Award Winners
Most Valuable Player
Corey Wheaton – Weyburn
Rookie of the Year
Kaleb Warden – Lethbridge
Canadian Rookie
Jaret Semeniuk – Lethbridge
Coach of the Year
Andrew Murphy – Medicine Hat
Outstanding Achievement Award – Riley MacDonald (Brooks)
Honourable Mention – Craig Smith (Okotoks)
WMBL All-Stars
The Okotoks Dawgs led the WMBL with 10 league all-star selections (7 first team and 3 second team).
Eastern Division champion Weyburn followed with six selections (2 first team and 4 second team).
The League’s top team, the Medicine Hat Mavericks placed three first team and two second all-stars.
Swift Current had three second team all-stars. Lethbridge (1 first teams and 1 second team) and Brooks (2 second team) had two players chosen to the all-star squads.
Yorkton and Regina each had one member make the all-star team.
Moose Jaw, Edmonton, Melville and Fort McMurray did not have a representative named to either team.
2018 WMBL All-Stars
Outfielders
First Team
Collin Ridout – Okotoks
Corey Wheaton – Weyburn
William Hollis – Okotoks
Second Team
David Salgueiro – Medicine Hat
Wade Weinburger – Weyburn
Blake Adams – Swift Current
Third Base
First Team
Nate DeChaine – Okotoks
Second Team
Dylan Borman – Lethbridge
Shortstop
First Team
Carson Johnson – Medicine Hat
Second Team
Felix Correa – Weyburn
Second Base
First Team
Nolan Rattai – Medicine Hat
Second Team
Eddie Sanchez – Okotoks
First Base
First Team
Kaleb Warden – Lethbridge
Second Team
Bo McClintock – Swift Current
Catcher
First Team
Colton Wright – Medicine Hat
Second Team
Riley MacDonald – Brooks
Designated Hitter
First Team
Nate DeChaine – Okotoks
Second Team
Corey Harrell – Weyburn
Utility Player
First Team
Eddie Sanchez – Okotoks
Second Team
Zach Lehman – Brooks
Starting Pitchers
First Team
Cody Ebert – Okotoks
Ryan Johnson – Weyburn
Owen Steele – Yorkton
Second Team
Brock Townsend – Okotoks
Mason Swegarden – Okotoks
Jumpei Akanuma – Medicine Hat
Relief Pitchers
First Team
Dustin Schorle – Okotoks
Second Team
Anthony Race – Regina
Closing Pitchers
First Team
Craig Smith – Okotoks
Second Team
Eric Evans – Weyburn
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